Bloemfontein - The SA Soaring Society has announced the name of the Norwegian who died in a glider accident outside the city this afternoon.

Chairperson Dirk Smit says the deceased was 51-year-old Arent Arntzen. His next of kin have been notified.

Residents on a plot in Kenilworth have reacted with shock after the accident. Theo Reineke says he was in his house when he heard a loud bang, followed by the sound of something like multiple gunshots.

He instructed the gardener to call the authorities while he ran to see if he could assist in any way. Arntzen had already passed away when Reineke arrived at the scene.